Chess Puzzle #Ho4Da — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen g3; rooks d1/h1; bishop a2; knight e2; pawns a3/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a4/b7/e4/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h4 — pawn h2→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb5+ — queen a5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b2→a1).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen b5→e2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qb5+.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/1p2pp1p/6p1/q7/p3p3/P5Q1/BKP1NPPP/3R3R w - - 1 17

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